Practical Nursing

The Arkansas State University-Beebe Practical Nursing program is 11 months in length.
The program integrates clinical learning experiences with classroom theory specific
to the role of the Practical Nurse and is located on the Searcy Campus.

Curriculum

Introduces concepts related to basic principles of the nursing profession. Personal
and professional development and responsibilities are covered related to therapeutic
communications, legal and ethical concepts, client and family care as well as interdisciplinary
team work. Includes discussion of particular body system concepts and incorporates
anatomy and physiology, nursing and pharmacological skills, and life span considerations
for each. Nursing process is utilized to provide the basic concept of assessment,
planning, intervention and evaluation. Simulation practicum experience is incorporated
into the course to assist in application of knowledge to clinical practice.

This course is a continuation of Fundamentals of Nursing I. It is a study of increasing
complexity of skills base while incorporating critical thinking to give safe, skillful,
holistic nursing care to clients of all ages using the nursing process. It is a continuation
of personal and professional development and responsibilities as well as communication,
legal and ethical situations, client and family care as well as interdisciplinary
teamwork. The course will continue in the discussion of particular body system concepts
and incorporate anatomy and physiology, nursing and pharmacological skills, and life
span considerations for each. Concepts related to performance and adaptation of nursing
skills and procedures will be incorporated as they related to the skill, safety, and
concern for the client in various clinical settings. Concepts related to the geriatric
population are integrated into this course with an emphasis on common geriatric changes
and disorders, related medications and nursing care.

This course provides supervised practicum experience related to the nursing theory
content with an emphasis on planning and implementing, and evaluating the care of
the geriatric client in the long-term care facility or alternate geriatric care settings.
The student will develop the ability to adapt nursing procedures incorporating critical
thinking to give holistic, individualized client care. Principles learned in previous
courses are incorporated to allow the student to do critical thinking to perform holistic
care. The student will participate in community health activities related to theory
content and patients throughout the lifespan.

This course incorporates fundamental knowledge learned in prior courses, and prepares
the student in the nursing management of patients throughout the life span. The theory
component of this course focuses on nursing concepts including maternal child and
basic mental health risk factors and implications related to the medical diagnosis.
Pharmacological, nutritional, and pediatric concepts as well as critical thinking
and communication techniques are incorporated into each portion of the course. The
medical surgical aspects of the course will include an introduction to healthcare
management and progress through the body systems. Each theory component is designed
to assist the student in understanding the nurse’s role in assessing needs, planning
and implementing holistic nursing care for patients with specific patient conditions.

The practicum component of this course has an emphasis on nursing concepts including
maternal child and basic mental health risk and implications related to the medical
diagnosis. Medical and surgical problems for patients throughout the life span will
be incorporated into the practicum, including care of the obstetrical patient, pediatric
patient, basic mental health conditions and medical surgical conditions. Pharmacological
concepts and administration of medications are incorporated into the practicum. Nursing
care is delivered with a focus on specific standards of care related to diagnosis
and age of the patient. Procedures learned in Fundamentals of Nursing I & II will
continue to be performed with emphasis on adaptations necessary for the individual
client.

This course is a continuation of Nursing I and will include a progression of the study
of concepts related to illness and nursing care for patients throughout the lifespan.
Critical thinking and communication theories are incorporated throughout the course.
The pharmacological theory component assists the student to have an understanding
of medications used to treat medical surgical disorders and nursing assessments required
to evaluate whether an expected or unexpected effect has occurred. Using critical
thinking skills, students will utilize nursing process to learn the holistic nursing
care of the patient throughout the life span.

The practicum component of this course is a continuation of nursing I and will progress
in the complexity of nursing concepts and care of the client. This component of the
course is designed to assist the student in applying principles from the theory components
and laboratory setting to actual patients in healthcare settings.

This course is a continuation of Nursing II and will include an in-depth study of
the concepts of illness and nursing care for patients throughout the lifespan. Critical
thinking and communication theories are incorporated throughout the course. The pharmacological
theory component assists the student to have an understanding of medications used
to treat medical surgical disorders and nursing assessments required to evaluate whether
an expected or unexpected effect has occurred. Using critical thinking skills, students
will utilize nursing process to learn the holistic nursing care of the patient throughout
the life span. Nursing care in acute, subacute or convalescent stages of illness
with integration of pharmacological, mental health disorders, nutritional, pediatric
and communication theories will be discussed.

The practicum component of Nursing III is a continuation of the Practicum component
of Nursing II and will include an increase in patient assignment load to develop time
management skills and assist the student in the transition from student role to Licensed
Practical Nurse role. The practicum component is designed to assist the student in
applying medical and surgical care and pharmacological principles learned as well
as mental health disorders and care discussed in the classroom and laboratory setting
to actual clients in healthcare settings and to transition from student to graduate,
recognizing the resultant changes in responsibility to self, clients and other health
care team members. The practicum portion of this course will involve a preceptorship
of the student working in a long term care, clinic or acute care setting. This rotation
is a means to strengthen the student’s ability to function as a practical nurse and
understand the role as a member of the healthcare team. Leadership and management
will be incorporated into the practicum rotation.